Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.
She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.
She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.
Mahesh Babu joined SS Rajamouli, Jr NTR, and Ram Charan at the grand RRR live screening held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Sunday. The event brought together the film’s visuals and live orchestral music, creating a one-of-a-kind experience.
The screening, which began at 6 PM local time, featured the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra performing the movie's iconic soundtrack under the direction of composer MM Keeravaani. This marked a historic moment as it was only the second time an Indian film was performed live at the iconic venue, the first being Baahubali 2 in 2019, also directed by Rajamouli.
This event was a rare reunion for the RRR team, with director SS Rajamouli and lead actors Jr NTR and Ram Charan sharing the stage for the first time in three years. Mahesh Babu, who is working with Rajamouli on the upcoming film SSMB 29, also attended, sparking excitement among fans, even though he is not part of the RRR cast.
The screening celebrated the global success of RRR, which captivated audiences worldwide after its 2022 release. The film made history as the first Indian production to win an Oscar for Best Original Song with Naatu Naatu and earned other prestigious accolades, including a Golden Globe. The live orchestra event was a chance for fans to reconnect with the film’s energy and emotion.
One of the most talked-about moments from the event was when Jr NTR addressed an enthusiastic crowd, asking fans to maintain order while taking photos. His composed handling of the situation received praise on social media after a video of the incident went viral.
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Another highlight of the night was when Ram Charan wished Jr NTR a happy birthday, sharing a warm hug on stage. The audience erupted in cheers, celebrating not only the film but the deep friendship between the stars.
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With the perfect elements including live music, memorable reunions, and star presence, the Royal Albert Hall event was a landmark moment for both the RRR team and Indian cinema enthusiasts worldwide.
Showed up in a killer red outfit and everyone was sneaking glances all night.
Snapped a pic with Anoushka Shankar, the sitar legend herself.
Got completely caught up in a close-up card magic trick.
Jetted in from other celebrations in New York and Delhi during a packed few weeks.
Priyanka Chopra was back in London for yet another Diwali shindig, this one thrown by Johnnie Walker and Rahul Mishra. Of course, there are already a ton of phone videos floating around. No surprises there. Anoushka Shankar was in the guest list too, and the photo they took together was iconic. Then there’s Rahul Mishra, obviously, and manager Anjula Acharia nearby. The whole place was done up with diyas and marigolds and looked festive and warm, not too staged. Felt like an actual party, not just another red carpet.
Priyanka Chopra shines in red at the London Diwali celebration Instagram/jerryxmimi
Card trick sequence
During the evening, Chopra spotted a magician performing card tricks at close range. Videos circulating online, shows her watching the demonstration with apparent concentration. At one point, she examines a playing card following a particular illusion. The interaction lasted several moments before she resumes conversations with other attendees nearby.
Recorded exchanges include Chopra discussing creative work with female guests. She mentioned familiarity with their Instagram content, specifically acknowledging their projects. The conversation also touched on professional aspects before moving to other topics.
The London stop forms part of recent travel that included a New York Diwali event and Delhi visit for a friend's birthday. Currently she is preparing for Citadel's second season, along with The Bluff and preliminary work on SS Rajamouli's GlobeTrotter alongside Mahesh Babu. Her most recent screen appearance was in Heads of State with Idris Elba and John Cena.
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